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South African National Parks offers a variety of accommodation types and standards. Prices are
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National parks offer visitors an unparalleled diversity of adventure tourism opportunities including
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Hi DjangoWe drove that route at the end of Sep 2012 after the winter rains and it was fine. We thought that if you cruized along at about 70kmph you would be fine any faster and you may pick up punctures. The roads in Tankwa varied - some good some rough We thoroughly enjoyed the empitness of the road from Ceres and really liked the Tankwa Farmstall on route. We only left Cape Town at about 9:00 and were at Elandsberg at about 3 . What an awesome place I hope you have a fabulous time!J

"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.” by James Dean

Hi,I had to put the usual question: 4x4 or not? I see the answers for Tankwa are various, does it depend on the season?We will go at the end of December, the program is not yet defined but we would like to stay 2 or 3 nights, possibly in some informal camp.So we have to decide between a 4x4 and a 4x2 (Toyota Hilux or similar), any suggestion?In the website info on informal camps, where they say "4x4 advisable in rainy season", is it better to have a 4x4 anyway?

Another question: we will come from Cape Town (perhaps sleeping somewhere in between), and leave for Karoo NP: which route would you suggest for Karoo?

Hi, at the end we decided to book a 4x4! we want to be able to go anywhere...

We will come in the morning from Cape Town and will have 3 nights in Tankwa: Skaapwagterspos, Biesjiesfontein and Steenkampshoek, then we will go to Karoo NP.Do you think that filling up with petrol in Ceres will be enough for all? I will check but I think the car will have a big tank.

I would like to know if it is possible to get from the Middlepos gate of the park to the Calvinia gate of the park without having to drive all the way around via Calvinia? I see that it is possible of Google Maps, but that's not always true and the park map shows that you have to cross private land after the Gannaga Pass.

Yes, you can enter the park via the Gannaga pass and then go out via the gate in the north west. Shortly after leaving the pass you will get to the R355. If you turn right (northerly direction) you directly to Calvinia.Send me a pm if you want specific directions.

I'm off to the Tankwa over the Easter weekend and I have heard of all the tyre shredding. So I'm a bit worried. I've read all the comments but nowhere do I find what tyre pressure is recommended. Some say hard others say slightly deflated. I use all terrain tyres.

The only thing needed for evil to prevail is for a good man to do nothing.

Hi jfhThe problem on this road is the shards of shale, so in my opinion it stands to reason that if you reduce your pressure you are exposing your tyre walls to these shards. I have driven these roads many times without problems. If you speed you are looking for trouble....this is where people come short. The road surface is often excellent so motorists are inclined to travel at 100 kph and up. DO NOT EXCEED 80 kph and you'll be fine especially with your AT's . Also, keep in the vehicle tracks already made.

In 6 weeks we will be off for a bigger trip along several Sanparks. Starting from Capetown our first stop will be Tankwa Karoo, and from there we will travel to Namaqua (hoping for lots of flowers) and then further to Kgalagadi and lots more.

The route to Tankwa will be (obviously) over Ceres and the R355, but my question is about the route from Tankwa Karoo to Namaqua: is it possible to leave the park on the northern border an head for Calvinia, or it is better to pass through the main gate (on the South Western Border, which seems to me an rather big detour)? We think our best guess for shopping would be in Calvinia. I assume from there we should take the R27 to Vanrhynsdorp?

Papadoc wrote:In 6 weeks we will be off for a bigger trip along several Sanparks. Starting from Capetown our first stop will be Tankwa Karoo, and from there we will travel to Namaqua (hoping for lots of flowers) and then further to Kgalagadi and lots more.

The route to Tankwa will be (obviously) over Ceres and the R355, but my question is about the route from Tankwa Karoo to Namaqua: is it possible to leave the park on the northern border an head for Calvinia, or it is better to pass through the main gate (on the South Western Border, which seems to me an rather big detour)? We think our best guess for shopping would be in Calvinia. I assume from there we should take the R27 to Vanrhynsdorp?

Any other tips will be welcome too!

Regards from a warm and sunny Europe,

Papadoc

I can only partially answer this question: Yes you can leave towards Calvinia (there are 4 "entrances" to the park; from Ceres, from Calvina, from Sutherland and also towards Middelpos). The park does not have entrance gates in the traditional sense.Also; please note that petrol is not available in the park (diesel is available); from the offices in the park it is about 110km to the fuel station in Calvinia, and 180 km to Ceres.